Battleground Georgia

The battle for Georgia and Trump’s legacy

While voter turnout in such special elections is traditionally low, that is not expected to be the case with the two upcoming Senate run-offs in Georgia on January 5, 2021. Interest is high because the outcomes could decide which party controls the Senate after Joe Biden is sworn in. In one race, the Republican incumbent David Perdue is facing Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. In the second, Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler is facing Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock.

As it stands, the Republicans control 50 Senate seats to the Democrats’ 48. If Democrats manage to win both races, then the tie-breaking vote would be held by vice president–elect Kamala Harris.

This would enable the Democrats to push ahead with their legislative agenda without obstacles, as they also control the House. But if they lose even one of those two races, the first half of Biden’s term — until the midterm elections — will be marked by legislative gridlock. He’ll only be able to act with bipartisan consensus. First and foremost, this means that the progressives’ dreams of a Green New Deal or Supreme Court packing will have to be scotched.

I had occasion to speak with Georgia activists from both parties this week. Democrats are trying to persuade voters that after Biden’s victory, it’s time to finish the job and give Democrats majorities in both chambers of Congress so they can move forward with their agenda. Republicans for their part are telling their base that if they stay home, Democrats will have a blank check to do whatever they want. You have to turn out and vote to put brakes on the Biden administration.